A CEREDIGION school has been found to have discriminated against a primary-age pupil with a range of disabilities and special educational needs.

Following a two-day hearing at the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales in June, the school, which cannot be identified, was found to have discriminated against the pupil — referred to as Child X for legal reasons — on 11 of the 14 separate allegations.

The discrimination found included failing to provide adequate training for staff; failure to use methods known to assist in Child X’s learning; and failure to make reasonable adjustments for Child X’s practice and play.

In his decision, the chair of the tribunal, Mark Allen, hit out after it was found that a staff member’s written account of a discussion with Child X had been re-written, but with key evidence of an incident involving Child X missing.

In his conclusion, Mr Allen said: “The overall position in this case is that the school has badly let [Child X] down.”

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, the parents of Child X, who could not afford legal representation so presented the case themselves, also accused the county council of withholding information from the tribunal to “frustrate the process”.

In a direction to the county council to produce the evidence requested by the parents, Mr Allen revealed the council said it had withheld the information on the basis it contained sensitive information relating to child protection.

The school has not been given a financial penalty, but has been given seven ‘orders’ by the tribunal.

The chair of governors has been ordered to apologise to Child X’s parents; ensure training appropriate to Child X’s needs is put in place; ensure that a profile of Child X is available and referred to by all staff; ensure that all staff have child protection training; and confirm all this to Mr Allen by 18 January.

A spokesperson at the school said: “The school will respond to SENTW’s decision and ensure that the points made will be addressed fully.

“As a school, we are committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all children.”

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